Cities That Offer Incentives To Relocate

If you’ve been thinking of relocating but you don’t have a definite city in mind, consider this: would you move to a city if they offered incentives for you to move there? It may sound like a strange idea, but it’s one you should consider. I’m thinking of relocating in a few years when my son goes off to college. If I’m going to start over at my age, I definitely want to save some money in the process.

If you’re intrigued, read on. Here’s a list of five places to consider relocating — and saving a few dollars in the process.

Harmony— what a wonderful name for a city. Sounds exactly like the type of place you might want to hang your hat. And if you like small towns, Harmony had a population of only 1,020, according to the 2010 census. The city also has the largest Amish community in the state. This small town offers fun things to do, like exploring Niagara Cave or biking along a 60-mile paved trail.

The city offers up to $12,000 in rebates for building new homes in this tiny community. Depending on the market value of the house, rebates range from $5,000 to $12,000. There are no restrictions on age, income, or residency. Rebates are paid as soon as the exterior elements of the house are complete. This includes things like the roof, siding, windows, and doors. The program ends when funds are depleted or when the city decides to stop the program. So, if this sounds good to you, don’t delay.

New Richland is another small town hoping to lure residents by offering relocation incentives. The town has just over 1,200 residents. You can get a free 86′ x 133′ lot in a new subdivision. You’ll need to build your home within one year after you receive the deed to the property.

The other cost you’ll have to endure is the price to develop your property. This includes streets, curb and gutter, and water and sewer. The estimated cost for development is about $25,000, but additional tax incentives should reduce this amount to $14,000. And you won’t have to pay in one lump sum. Owners are charged semi-annually over the course of fifteen years.

New Richland has lots of fun activities to keep you busy. There’s bowling, golfing, and beautiful St. Olaf Lake Park.

Curtis is a small town of approximately 832 residents. You may be eligible to snag a free lot in a new subdivision. The catch? Just build your home within a certain period of time and the lot is free. A second subdivision overlooking a nine-hole golf course may also be available (lots are going fast here).

If small town living is not for you, the big city of New Haven, Connecticut — population 862,147 in 2010 — has a few incentives to offer. The city’s Re: New Haven program offers several different enticements; up to $80,000 is available.

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, $10,000 is up for grabs. The interest-free cash can be used as a down payment or to help with closing cost. The loan is 100% forgivable if you live in your house for five years.

Looking to renovate an older home? The city offers $30,000 for renovations. If you stay in the home for ten years, the loan is forgivable.

If you have kids or the guardian of a minor, you’ll definitely like this last incentive. If you move to New Haven before your young whippersnapper graduates high school, they may be able to get free college tuition. That’s right, any child graduating from a New Haven school is eligible to receive free in-state college tuition. As long as they are in good academic and behavioral standing, they get a free ride. The average cost of tuition in Connecticut is currently over $22,000.

The entire state of Kansas offers incentives to people willing to build their homes out West. The state’s Rural Opportunity Zone, covers seventy-seven counties. If eligible, you may receive up to five years tax waivers, and/or student loan repayments up to $15,000. You’ll need to establish residency within one of the zones. You also have to have lived outside of Kansas for at least five years immediately before establishing residency.

These are only a few of the places offering incentives. Check the website of any city you’re thinking of relocating to find out if they offer enticements to relocators. You might be surprised what you’ll find with a little research.